Condenser



K. BAUM/INM CONDENSER.

APPLICATION FILED ocT. 2. ISIS Patented July 20, 1920.

INVENTOR. NM2 VMM* WML/mr BY RNW f ATTORNEYS.

Original application led January 31, 1917, Serial No. 145,706. Divided UNITED STATI-:s `P-.frreNT OFFICE KARL BA'UMAN'N, OIE URMSTON, ENGLAND,V ASSIGNOR TO BRITISH WESTING- HoUsE ELECTRIC AND GREAT BRITAIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LIMITED, A COMPANY OF CONDENSER.

Patented July 20, 1920.

and this application filed October vi?, 1918. Serial No. 256,577.

vemployed between the condenser shell and the exhaust casing of the turbine isrendered unnecessary.

Another object of the invention is the production of a condenser wherein the condensing surface for the tube nest may be brought nearer to the last row or rows of blades from which the steam leaving the turbine flows, thus shortening the path for the steam flowing from the turbine and reducing the height of the combined condenser and turbine. l j

Further objects are the production of a condenser wherein certain portions of the shell of the condenser are supported by the turbine casing,'while the heavier parts of the condenser, such as the cooling tubes andi their supports are carried by suitable foundations; the production of a condenser of the above type wherein the tubes and sag plates are supported by the ends of the condensers and such other objects as will hereinafter appear. Certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanyin'fr drawings, wherein- Figure 1- is a transverse sectional view ofthe condenser; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of thelcondenser and Fig 3 is a fragmental section of a modified form of the flexible joint construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and Referring to the drawings; 4 indicates a steam turbine, to which the central section of the condenser shell 5 is attached directly, so that the path of the steam from the tur- .bine to the condenser is made as direct and as short as possible. This section of the condenser, however is the only portion supported in lcontact therewith by atmospheric pressure due to the vacuum existing within the condenser and the exhaust casing of the turbine, and by suitable bolts which secure the condenser to the exhaust casing of the turbine.- i

The end members 6 and 7 are supported independently of the shell 5 upon foundations 8 and are fiexibl connected to the rigid shell 5 by means o flexible corrugated cylindrical sections 9 so as to permit universal relative movement of the central shell 5 with respect to the end members 6 and 7. It w1Ll readily be seen that the central shell 1s free to expand in all directions without disturbing the ends of the condenser.

The condenser ends 6 and 7 are each provided with a tube plate 10 to which the cooling tubes 11 are connected in a well known manner so as to form a surface condenser. Cooling water is circulated through 'the tubes 11, first entering the water box 12 through the inlets 13 and passing through the upper tubes tothe water box 14 and back through the lower tubes to the water box 15 and out through the outlets 16.

The ends of the condenser are supported lso as to oppose the atmospheric pressure tending to collapse the flexible sections 9,

by means of a vertical web or compression...

member 17 extending the entire length of the tube nest and connecting the tube plates 10. The tubes l1 are supported intermediate the tube plates by one ormore sag plates 18, (one of which is shown) through which the tubes pass, and these plates are bolted or otherwise secured to the web 17, so that the weight of the intermediate mechanism of the condenser is not imposed upon the shell 5.A The sag plates also serve to reinforce the web 17. Aside from the special construction of the condenser shell and its element, the condenser operates in a manner similar to the other condensers of like type. Fluid enters the top of the condenser and is condensed by contact with the cooling tubes; the condensate being drawn off through a hot well outlet 19, which may be flexibly connected to any suitable pumping apparatus. The air is drawn off from the usual air outlet 20.v

F ig. 3 shows a modified form of expansion joint which may be used instead of the form shown in Fig. 2. It Will `be seen that the flexible portion 9 is simply given a dif- -ferent contour than the joint 9.

It Will be apparent from thev foregoing that While the complicated and expansive expansion joint usually placed between the exhaust casting of the turbine and the condenser has been' eliminated, the condenser shell 5 is free to expand vertically and horizontally to take care of the expansions and contractions due to changes in tempel-lature of the shell or from other causes.

While I have described and illustrated but tWo embodiments of my invention, it Will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, additions and omissions may be made in the apparatus described and illustrated Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth by the appended claims.

What I claim is: l

l. A steam condenser for turbines comprising a horizontal shell adapted to 'be supported at its central portion by the turbine and at its end portions independently of the turbine and provided Withy means ywhereby axial displacement of its central portion with respect to the end portions is permitted. I

2. A steam condenser for turbines cornprising a horizontal Ashell adapted to be supported at its central portion by the turbine and at its end portions independently of the turbine and embodying flexible lportions between the supported portions.

@A steam condenser for turbines com-l prislng a horizontal shell adapted to be L supported at its central portion by the turbineand at its end portions independently of the turbine and provided with means whereby universal displacement of its central portion with respect to the end portions is permitted.

4. A steam condenser for turbines comu prising a shell having a rigid central section adapted to be attached to the turbine,

'end sections supported independently of the tember, 1918.

turbine, and flexible portions connecting the I ently of the turbine, and cooling tubes ex` tending through the central section and supported by the end sections.

6. A condenser for turbines comprising a central section adapted to be attached to the turbine, end sections flexibly secured to the central section and supported independently of the turbine and cooling tubes extending through the central section and supportedV by the end sections.

7. The combination With a steam condenser for turbines comprising a shell, the central portion of 4which is secured to the turbine and the end portions of which are flexibly connected to the central portion and are supported independently of 'the turbine, ofa nest of cooling tubes supported by the end portions, so that the central portion may move independently of the tubes.

8. A condenser for turbines comprising a central shell adapted to be supported by the turbine, end members flexibly Secured to the shell land supported independently of the turbine, and a compression member carried the shell and supported at their ends by t e y vend sections, a compression member connecting the end' sections and preventing realtive displacement thereof and a sag plate for the tubes supported independently fof the ycentral shell and upon the compression member.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this tenth day of Sep- KARL BAUMANN. 

